Lunge lessons, Cheshire? Just for improving shoulders...

Sol

Sol

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I have a small problem which I have been advised to sort out on the lunge. Basically, my posture is completely silly, although my position on a horse remains fairly good overall (one plus point :D) however, little things like my shoulders need working on. At a glance I suppose they seem fine, except I end up 'holding' them in position, tensely. Instructor has advised lots of work on the lunge to help, just relaxing my shoulders and getting the feeling of everything being in the correct place.
Problem?
My instructor is now in France. I have nobody I trust to lunge my horse (plus I think it may confuse him and wouldn't be the best plan), and nobody else I know has a suitable horse except instructor! :o :p

I am trying my best to correct it ALL of the time, not just riding. I don't think it helps that I spend a lot of time at a laptop, or leaning over drawing so my shoulders naturally come up & forward - and when I ride I simply pull them back but can't relax like that? I can feel how tight the muscles are! :eek: I also try to relax them by moving them about, regularly shrugging my shoulders or making circles with them when I ride then letting them relax into a more correct position, but ultimately without a fair bit of correction from someone watching it wont be easy!! :(
The tension in my shoulders is really messing up my lateral work now so does need fixing. Any ideas of where to get some lunge lessons in Cheshire!? :)

Sol x.
 
If you know what you need to work on, then why not try a riding school? Most of them offer lunge lessons and if you already know what you're doing wrong it sounds like a win-win!
 
Most riding schools around here don't seem keen on giving lunge lessons and I sort of worry that it will be more like sit on the horse, walk around a bit, trot around a bit, ok thats great we're done! (my experience of riding schools/RS instructors around here isn't brilliant and I have been to a few :rolleyes: :o) when what I was is either really drilling or else someone with a sane (but not half dead) horse who can quitely lunge me and give me the reminders. At a RS I'd expect to pay £20+ for 30 mins of something of little use, I'd happily pay £30 for 30mins of intense reminders from someone who seriously knows their stuff - which I'm afraid most instructors at RSs who've taught me don't seem to that or don't want to share their knowledge :D or if some random stranger happens to have some patience and a sane horse I'd happily pay them a decent amount for their time?

Sorry, don't want to come across as if I think ALL RS instructors are completely rubbish - I'm sure plenty are brilliant, but most I come across seem to not be :( And I don't want to waste my money on something less than ideal if that makes sense? I don't exactly have enough to waste even if I don't mind paying well for the right thing? I think I'm waffling now... oops :o
 
Fair enough! I am lucky in that I had a couple of schoolmaster lessons on my instructors horse earlier this year - I would have been reluctant to spend the same money at an RS so I can understand. It was actually the first time I had ever had a lunge lesson in 17 years of riding! :o
 
Foxford said:
Fair enough! I am lucky in that I had a couple of schoolmaster lessons on my instructors horse earlier this year - I would have been reluctant to spend the same money at an RS so I can understand. It was actually the first time I had ever had a lunge lesson in 17 years of riding! :o
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Sounds ideal! :) I've never had a lunge lesson, but always thought they're a great idea! Just so few places offer them :( I think it's a shame really! I have ridden my instructors pony on the lunge... but bareback (well, with one of those special vaulting roller things with the handles?!) so as you can guess, it wasn't really that sort of lesson! Very fun though.... I now know that cantering facing backwards is very weird, however helpful that is! :p
 
If you can't find anywhere to have lunge lessons that's any good, have you considered trying something like Alexander Technique? I tend to carry a lot of tension in my shoulders (particularly when stressed at work!) and have found that its really helpful. I did start having AT lessons to improve my riding, but it seems to be helping with my posture both 'on' and 'off horse' :)
 
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